Holidays no time to skip on vehicle maintenance

With millions of people planning to hit the road for holiday travel, a good way to avoid any unnecessary calls to one's auto insurance company is to make sure that all basic vehicle maintenance is up to date.

AAA has estimated that it will respond to 1.3 million service calls from stranded motorists this holiday season, in many cases assisting with things like flat tires, dead batteries, and vehicles that have become stuck in snow banks or have had keys locked in them.

"Whether it's a trip to the mall for last-minute shopping or a road trip to visit family, having your vehicle properly maintained and prepared for winter weather will help ensure it gets you to your destination safely," said Marshall Doney of AAA Automotive.

However, failure to follow basic maintenance procedures can result in far more than just inconvenience and lost time. Accidents and injuries can also await those who fail to keep their tires properly cared for, or who leave snow and ice accumulated on their windshields and windows.

Improperly inflated tires can lead to blowouts on highways that carry a serious risk of accident and injury, while obstructions in windows can also carry the risk of accidents, and in some states, traffic tickets.